Spindle braking apparatus for textile machines



Feb. 11, 1969 s. BUCHER ETAL 1 65 I SPINDLE BRAKING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Filed May 12, 1965 Sheet or Feb. 11, 1969 E. BUCHER ETAL 3,426,520

SPINDLE BRAKING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Filed May 12, 1965 Sheet g of '2 lnrvenlors Feb. 1 1, 1969 E. BUCHER ETAL. SPINDLE BRAKING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Filed May 12, 1965 sheei' 3 r '2 Fig. 5

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Feb. 11, 1969 E. BUCHER ETAL 3, 6,

SPINDLE BRAKING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Filed May 12, 1965 Sheet 1 of '7 752 A :5 29a i lnvenfars Feb. 11, 196 9 E. BUCHER ETAL 3, 6,5

SPINDLE BRAKING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Filed May 12; 1965 Sheet 5 of v Fig. 70

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SPINDLE BRAKING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Filed May 12, 1965 Sheet of 7 I 9 0g 9 V Fig. 17 2% 354 300 302 308 v 300 295 J 3e4- I I 1 In venlars' EPIL'L [3: 34 in- Filed .May 12, 1965 Feb. 11, 1969 s. BUCHER ETAL 3,

SPINDLE BRAKING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINES Sheet 7 of 7 Fig. 13

T T ,3 3 9 L $357350 United States Patent Oflice 3,426,520 Patented Feb. 11, 1969 U.S. C]. 57-88 Claims Int. 01. D0111 13/18 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a textile machine which includes a pluralit of spindles, a brake for each spindle, and actuating means connected to the brakes for actuating the same and thereby brake the spindles.

The present invention relates to a spindle braking apparatus for textile machines, and more particularly to spinning machines and twisting machines provided with rotary driven spindles carrying bobbins.

Textile machines of this type are provided with a brake for each spindle which can'be used for stopping selectec spindles. For stopping all spindles of the machine, a brake is applied to the main drive shaft from which all spindles are rotated by means of belts and pulleys. Upon actuation of this brake, the spindle drive shaft is momentarily stopped so that the drive belts sliding on the pulley portions of the spindles, brake the spindles.

This known braking arrangement for spindles operates satisfactorily if spindles, bobbins, and yarn package of relatively low weight are concerned so that the inertia of the moving parts which are to be stopped is comparatively low. However, if spindles, bobbins and packages of substantially greater weight and correspondingly greater inertia are to be braked and stopped, the friction between the drive belts and the pulley portions of the spin.

dles is insuificient for momentarily stopping the spindles so that the same turn after actuation of the brake and stopping of the drive shaft, for an undetermined time period.

The disadvantage of such a delayed stopping of the spindles resides in that the drawing rolls which supply the roving to the spindles of the twisting or spinning machines, are stopped together with the drive shaft on which the brake acts so that the continuation of the rotation of the spindles causes over twisting of the roving or yarn and the formation of loops in the same.

It is one object of the invention to overcome this disadvantage of known apparatus for braking the spindles of a textile machine, and to provide a spindle braking apparatus which effects the stopping of all spindles after an extremely short braking time.

Another object of the invention is to brake all spindles simultaneously by brakes acting on the spindles directly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brake for each spindle, and to operate the brakes either selectively, or simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a braking apparatus for the spindles of a spinning or twisting machine which is effective to momentarily stop rotating spindles carrying bobbins with very heavy packages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a braking apparatus for spindles which does not use the drive belts of the spindles as brakes,

Another object of the invention is to provide a brake apparatus Which can be applied to existent textile machines in which a brake is provided for each spindle by providing means for simultaneously operating all brakes of all spindles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a braking apparatus for the spindles of a textile machine which does not act on the drive shaft of the machine.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a braking apparatus of the spindles of a textile machine, such as a spinning machine or twisting machine. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a plurality of driven rotary spindles, each of which has a brake, and actuating means connected to the brakes for actuating the same to brake the spindles.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of first actuating means operate the brakes, respectively, so that each first actuating means can actuate one of the brakes and stop the corresponding spindle, While second actuating means are connected to all brakes for stopping all spindles simultaneously.

Due to the fact that all spindles can be stopped in this manner, it is not necessary to provide a brake acting on the drive shaft from which the spindles are driven.

If the apparatus of the invention is applied to textile machines in which a brake is already provided for each spindle, it is only necessary to provide actuating means connecting all brakes so that the same can be simultaneously operated for stopping all spindles. Different types of conventional brakes may be used, for example mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromagnetic brakes.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating means are constructed in such a manner that not only all brakes, but also each brake individually and selectively can be power operated.

In accordance with the invention, the brakes of the spindles are connected in various ways. For example, a mechanical linkage, Which may include Bowden cables, an electric circuit acting on electromagnetic brakes, or operating mechanical brakes by electromagnetic means, or fluid operated means acting on fluid motors controlling the brakes may be provided.

The mechanical linkage may include a bar or turnable shaft extending along a row of spindles and connected to the brakes for operating the same. When fluid operated means are provided, a tubular conduit extends along the row of spindles. Of course, electric circuit arrangements require only wires connecting a central control station with the brakes of the spindles.

In one embodiment of the invention the electric circuit is so designed that a switch is provided for each spindle which controls the electromagnetic brake of the respec tive spindle to stop the same, while another switch causes simultaneous operation of all electromagnetic brakes.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention in which the brakes are controlled by a mechanical linkage;

FIG. 2 is an elevation illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of the arrow 2;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention in which the brakes are operated by a fluid medium;

FIG. 4 is an elevation, partially in vertical section along line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view illustrating a third embodiment of the invention in which the brakes are operated by electromagnetic means;

FIG. 6 is an elevation, partially in section along line 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention in which Bowden cables are used for operating the brakes;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view parallel to the vertical section of FIG. 7 and viewed in the opposite direction;

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 99 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view, partially in horizontal section, and illustrating a fifth embodiment of the invention, certain parts being schematically shown on a reduced scale;

FIG. 11 is partly a fragmentary elevation, and partly a circuit diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary electric circuit diagram illustrating the electric circuit of a seventh embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary partly schematic and partly diagrammatic view illustrating an eighth embodiment of the invention including fluid operated means.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, this embodiment of the invention provides manually controlled means for operating the brakes of the spindles selectively and individually, and a mechanical linkage connecting all brakes for simultaneously operating the same.

A spindle 22 carries a yarn package 24 and is rotatably mounted in a spindle bearing support 26 mounted on the spindle rail 28 and clamped to the same by a nut 32 engaging a threaded portion of the spindle bearing support 26 and urging a fixed flange against the top surface of the spindle rail 28.

A pulley portion 20, sometimes called a whorl is secured to spindle 22 so that the spindle can be rotated by a belt or banding, not shown. A brake drum 34 forms part of the pulley portion 20, and has a cylindrical cavity open at the bottom surrounding a pair of pivotally connected brake jaws 36 which can be actuated by a lever arm 38 mounted for turning movement on a cylindrical portion of bearing support 26 directly above the flange 30. The construction of the brake is of a conventional nature, substantially as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, and it will be understood that spring means are provided for automatically returning brake jaws 36 and lever arm 38 to a position in which the brake is inoperative so that the spindle can freely rotate.

An actuating bar 40 extends along the spindle rail 28 and the row of spindles 22 and is guided in bearing brackets 42 which are spaced along the spindle rail 28. In the region of each spindle 22, of which only one is shown in FIG. 2, actuating bar 40 carries an actuating member 46 which normally abuts a split ring 52 under the action of a spring abutting another split ring. Each actuating member 46 has a transverse portion 48 cooperating with arm 38.

Actuating bar 40 can be longitudinally shifted by pneumatic, mechanical, hydraulical, or electrical actuating means so that actuating members 46, 48 simultaneously engage the arms 38 of all spindles of the row, and simultaneously operate the brakes 44 of all spindles. Due to the provision of springs 50, the engagement between actuating members 46, 48 and the arms 38 will take place even if the arms 38 of all brakes 44 are not exactly spaced the same distances as actuating members 46.

Lever arm 38 of each brake 48 constitutes an actuating means for selectively and individually operating each brake 44 so that selected spindles can be stopped, while other spindles continue to rotate. Actuating bar 40 with actuating members 46, 48, is an actuating means for simultaneously actuating all brakes 40 so that all spindles 22 are simultaneously stopped.

The belts or bandings, not shown, which pass over the pulley portions 28 of the spindles, slide on the pulley portion while the spindles are stopped, and immediately start to rotate the spindles when the respective brakes are shifted to the inoperative position by operation of the actuating means.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, a diflerent type of brake is provided for each spindle. Each brake can be individually operated by manually controlled means, and all brakes can be simultaneously operated by fluid controlled actuating means.

As shown in FIG. 4, the spindles, of which only one is shown partially in FIG. 4, are mounted on a spindle rail by means of a flange 64 and a nut, not shown, engaging the thread 66 of the spindle bearing. Each spindle carries a fixed pulley portion 60 having a cylindrical brake portion 70 forming part of the brake 62 which further includes an annular housing 68 in which a resilient brake member 72 is located. Brake member 72 has two arcuate arms 74 and 76 and a support part 78 mounted on a vertical shaft 80 which is secured to housing 68. The arcuate arms 74 and 76 terminate in a pair of straight spaced portions 82 and 84, and brake linings 75 are secured to the inner surfaces of the same.

Brake member 72 is embraced by arcuate arms of a pressure bag 86 which have rectangular cross sections and terminate in a portion 88 located in the cylinder portion 90 of the housing. Bag 86 is filled with a suitable pressure medium, such as air or oil so that when piston 92 is moved to the left as viewed in the drawing by a button 104 and a rod 102, the arms 86 of the bag will exert pressure against the resilient brake member 72 and urge arms 74, 76 toward each other so that the brake lining is pressed against brake portion 70 of pulley portion 60 of the spindle whereby the spindle is stopped. Since a pushbutton 104 is provided for each spindle and associated brake 62, each spindle can be individually and selectively stopped. Each piston is provided with a sealing ring 94, and each piston rod 102 has a corresponding sealing ring, so that the cylinder chamber 96 in each cylinder 90 is sealed. Each cylinder chamber 96 has an outlet communicating with a conduit 100 which extends parallel to the row of spindles and connects all cylinders 90 of all brakes 62.

When a pressure fluid is supplied to conduit 100, pistons 92 of all cylinders 90 are simultaneously urged to the left and compress portions 88 of bags 86 of all brakes 62 of the row of spindles so that all spindles are simultaneously stopped. When the pressure of the pressure fluid is relieved in conduit 100 for example by connecting conduit 106 to a discharge conduit instead of to the pressure conduit of a pump, brake members 72 expand resiliently and urge bags 86 to the normal position of rest shown in FIG. 3 so that pistons 92 and pushbuttons 94 return to the initial position of rest shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, each spindle has a first brake which can be actuated by the operator to individually and selectively stop the spindles, and a second brake. Electromagnetic actuating means are provided for actuating all second brakes simultaneously when it is desired to stop all spindles at the same time. Each spindle 112 is secured to the spindle rail 116 by a nut threaded onto a threaded portion 114 to urge the fixed flange 126 of the bearing support 126 against the spindle rail. A pulley portion 118 is secured to each spindle 112, and

has a lower drum portion 118 with an inner cylindrical cavity open at the bottom. A pair of brake jaws 122, 122' is mounted on a common pivot shaft 124 which is secured to flange 126 of bearing support 120. Each pair of brake jaws 122, 122' is held in the normal inoperative position by a spring 128 which holds the outer surface of brake jaws 122, 122' spaced from the inner brake surface of brake portion 118. The end faces of brake jaws 122, 122 are slanted to each other and form a tapered gap into which a wedge-shaped member 130 projects. Member 130 has an armature portion located within a coil 132 which is connected by a pair of conductors 138, 142 to the main lines 136, 140 to which a voltage is applied. A switch 134 is manually operated to simultaneously energize all electromagnetic means 132 so that the wedgeshaped members 130 are moved inwardly to force brake jaws 122, 122 to the braking position. It is possible to provide a switch in each conductor means 133, 142 to individually and selectively operate the brake jaws 122, 122', but it is preferred to provide additional operator controlled brakes 144.

A single brake member 146 has an arcuate brake face 150 confronting the outer surface of brake drum 118 and being mounted on a member 148 having two ends secured to brake drum 118 for turning movement about the horizontal axis. In the position of FIG. 6, also shown in the upper portion of FIG. 5, member 148 has been turned by the operator to a position in which brake face 150 abuts the outer surface of brake drum 118 to stop the respective spindle. Actuating means 146 may be turned between the inoperative and braking positions by the knee of the operator, and the term manually controlled as used in the present application includes any action by an operator, irrespective of the part of the body used.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the brakes of all spindles can be simultaneously operated by a mechanical linkage including Bowden cables. Each brake can also be individually and selectively operated by means of a separate Bowden cable connected to a foot pedal.

The bearing support 162 of the spindle is secured to the spindle rail 160 as explained above, and has a fixed flange 164 to which a carrier 166 is secured. Carrier 166 has a pair of pivot pins 172 supporting a pair of brake jaws 170, 170' for turning movement between an inoperative position spaced from the brake drum portion 167 of the pulley portion 168 of the spindle, and a braking position in which the linings 174 abut the outer surface of brake drum 167 to stop the spindle. As best seen in FIG. 9, the ends of the cables projecting from the tubes of two Bowden cable means 176 and 190 pass through openings in brake jaw 170 and 170 and have end flanges secured to brake jaw 170. Since the tubes abut brake jaw 170, movement of the Bowden cables into the tubes displaces the brake jaws toward each other to the braking position while compressing a spring [175 which urges the brake jaws to the inoperative position.

Bowden cable means 176 of each brake has an outer tubular part 188 secured to a bracket 186 on the lower portion 187 of the spindle rail, and a cable having an end member 184 secured to a foot pedal 182 mounted on a pivot pin 180 of bracket .186.

When the foot pedal of a selected spindle is operated, the respective Bowden cable is shifted, and the brake is operated to stop the respective spindle.

The other Bowden cable means 190 has an outer tubular part secured to a bracket 192 on the upper part of spindle rail 160, and a cable 194 which is secured by a screw to an actuating shaft 198 which extends along the row of spindles parallel to the spindle rail, and is mounted in spaced bearings 196, as also shown in FIG. 8.

A lever arm 200 is secured to shaft 198 by means of a key 202, and has a free end pivotally connected to the piston rod of a piston 218 which is mounted in a cylinder 208.

Cylinder 208 is mounted on a pivot means 210* and a bracket 212 to permit displacement of cylinder 208 when the end of lever arm 200 moves along an arcuate path. Cylinder 208 has connecting tubes 214 and 216 which can be selectively connected to pressure and discharge conduits, not shown, so that when a fluid is admitted to the upper portion of cylinder 208, shaft 198 is turned in counterclockwise direction, while admission of fluid to the lower portion of the cylinder will move the piston upward and turn shaft 198 in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. The pressure medium may be air or oil.

When shaft .198 is angularly displaced, all Bowden cables 194 are shifted and the brake jaws 170, of all brakes of all spindles are simultaneously moved to stop all spindles, or to release all spindles.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, each brake can be individually and selectively operated by fluid controlled operating means, and all brakes can be simultaneously operated by simultaneously actuating the fluid controlled means of all brakes.

The brake portion 236 of the spindle is embraced by a pair of brake jaws 232, 232 mounted on a pair of pivot pins 234 which may be mounted on a carrier as described for carrier 164 with reference to FIG. 7. Brake jaws 232, 232 have brake linings 230 cooperating with the outer surface of brake portion 236. A fluid controlled operating means 240 includes a cylinder in which two pistons 244 are mounted. Each piston has a piston rod 246 projecting out of the cylinder and engaging a portion 242 of one of the brake jaws which are urged by spring 238 into engagement with piston rods 246. A conduit 248 is connected to a center portion of the cylinder and communicates with a chamber formed between pistons 244. When pressure fluid is admitted into the hydraulic or pneumatic operating means 240, the brake jaws are turned by pistons 244 and piston rods 246 to a braking position, compressing spring 238 which normally holds the brake jaws in an inoperative position spaced from brake dum 236.

The flow of fluid into conduit 248 is controlled by a control valve 250; and each brake of each spindle is controlled in the same manner by a control valve, three control valves 254 being schematically indicated in FIG. 10. All control valves 250, 254 have a stationary valve member 256 with an inner conduit 264, and all conduits 264 are connected to a main conduit 252 which extends along the row of spindles and brakes, and which is provided with a pressure fluid.

A shiftable control valve member 258 is mounted on the inner valve member 256 for longitudinal movement between two positions, and a spring 262 between valve members 258 and 256 urges valve member 258 to a higher position in which conduit 248 communicates with a duct 268 in inner valve member 256 communicating with duct 264. A shiftable valve member 272 is mounted in duct 264 and urged by spring 274 against a stop 276. The force of spring 274 can be adjusted by a small screw 278 threaded into the upper part of conduit 264. Valve member 272 has a recessed portion so that duct 268 communicates through conduit 264 with a duct 270 which opens in the illustrated position of control valve member 258 into a discharge duct 260 in the latter.

The normal pressure in main conduit 252 is insufficient to displace valve members 272 of all control valves 250, 254 so that the pressure is operating means 240' of all brakes is relieved through conduit 248, and communicating ducts 268, 264, 260. Consequently, springs 238 hold all brakes in the inoperative position.

If a selected spindle is to be stopped. and the corresponding brake is to be operated, the operator manually moves movable control valve member 258 in downward direction so that conduit 248 communicates with a duct 266 which opens into the lower portion of main duct 264 which communicates with the main conduit 252. Consequently, pressure fluid flows from main conduit 252 through duct 264, 266 and 248 into the chamber between 7 the pistons 244 of the respective brake, and moves the brake jaws 232, 230' to the braking position in which the brake lining 230 engage the outer surface of the brake drum portion 236 of the spindle, or of the pulley portion of the spindle whereby the respective spindle is stopped.

When it is desired to stop all spindles simultaneously, the pressure in main conduit 252 is increased, so that the force of the pressure fluid in main duct 264 overcomes the force of spring 274 and raises shiftable valve member 272 to a position in which duct 268 is no longer separated from the inlet portion of main duct 264, and receives pressure fluid from main conduit 252. The pressure fluid flows through all control valves into all conduits 248 and actuates all brakes so that all spindles are simultaneously stopped.

The pressure increase in main conduit 252 is, for example, obtained by electrically adjusting an overpressure valve.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which electromagnetic brakes 280, or mechanical brakes controlled by electromagnetic means as described with reference to FIG. 5, can be individually and selectively actuated, or simultaneously actuated by an electric circuit.

The coil of each brake is connected by conductors 290, 292 to a pair of main lines 286, 288 which are common to all brakes and connected to a source of voltage. A switch 294 is provided in each conductor 292 so that by operation of any selected switch 294, the respective brake is energized and actuated.

A shunt connection 296, 298 is provided parallel to each switch 294 and includes a relay contact 300 operated by a relay 302, one relay being provided for each spindle and brake. Each relay is connected by a pair of conductors 304, 306 to a pair of common main lines 382, 384 to which a low voltage is applied. A switch 308 in main line 282 controls all relays 302.

When switch 308 is closed, all relays 302 are energized, and all contacts 300 close to connect the coils of all brakes 280 with the power lines 286, 288, so that all brakes are actuated and all spindles simultaneously stopped although switches 294 remain open. As explained above, switches 294 are individually used by the operator to stop selected spindles While switch 308 and switches 300 are open.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the brakes of a plurality of spindles, not shown, have coils connected to pairs of conductors 320, 322 which are all connected to a pair of common lines 314. A main switch 312 has a first position for connecting the secondary winding of a transformer 300 with lines 314 and 318, and a second position for connecting the primary winding of the transformer through a conductor 316 to lines 314 and 318, and thereby to all pairs of conductors 320, 322.

A switch 328 is provided in each conductor 320, so that upon closing of any selected switch 328, the coil of the respective brake, not shown, will be energized so that the brake is individually actuated and the respective spindle stopped.

A relay 324 is provided for each brake, and has a winding connected to the respective conductors, 320, 322. A relay contact 326 is operated by each relay 324 and located in a shunt line 330 which is parallel to each switch 328.

In the illustrated position, switch 312 connects all conductors 320, 322 to a low voltage which is sufficient to actuate selected brakes when the respective switch 328 is closed, but which is insuflicient to energize relays 324 sufficiently to close relay contacts 326.

When switch 312 is shifted to the other position, the higher voltage of the voltage source to which transformer 300 is connected is applied to all conductors 320, 322 and is suflicient to energize relays 324 so that all relay contacts 326 are closed and all brakes are electromagnetically actuated, although switches 328 remain open.

In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the brake 340 of each spindle is constructed as described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 3. Each wedge-shaped member 342 is connected by a piston rod 343 to a piston 344 in the cylinder 346. A spring 345 urges piston 344 to the left so that brake 340 is normally in an inoperative position permitting rotation of the spindle. The chamber formed on the left side of the cylinder 246 communicates with a valve 348 which is schematically illustrated to assume a normal illustrated position under the action of the spring 347. In this position of valve 348, a conduit 352 communicates through a conduit 351 and a duct in valve 348 with conduit 353 which leads to cylinder 346. When pushbutton 349 is manually actuated, the valve is shifted to the right to a position in which a duct in the valve, schematically indicated by an arrow in the left portion of valve 348, connects conduit 350 and conduit 355 with conduit 353.

Another control valve 354 is located in conduits 350 and 352 and is normally held in the illustrated position by a spring 358 so that pressure fluid flows in conduit 350 and fluid is discharged from conduit 352.

An electromagnetic operating means 356 is controlled by a switch 360 to shift the valve to another position in which the upper portion 364 of the same is effective to connect conduits 350, 352 by ducts in such a manner that the flow of fluid is reversed in conduits 352 and 350 as indicated schematically by arrows in portion 264. A spring 358 holds the valve in the normal illustrated position.

In the normal position of the apparatu illustrated in FIG. 13, conduits 350, 355 which contain pressure fluid are disconnected by all valves 348 from all cylinders 346 of all brakes and spindles, so that springs 345 are effective to hold the brakes 340 in the inoperative position, while cylinder 346 communicates through valve 348 with the discharge 351.

If a selected valve 348 is shifted by operation of the pushbutton 349, the pressure fluid flows from conduit 350 through conduit 355, a duct in valve 348, conduit 353 into cylinder 346 and actuates the respective brake by urging piston 344 with member 342 to a position compressing bag 86, as explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

When switch 360 is closed, electromagnetic means 356 shifts valve 354 to a position in which pressure fluid flows in conduit 352 while the fluid is discharged from conduit 350. Consequently, pressure fluid flows from conduit 352 into all conduits 351, through valve 348, through all conduits 353 into all cylinders 346 so that all brakes 340 are moved to the braking position by pistons 344 displacing actuating members 342.

In a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 13, electromagnetic means 356 is energized in the normal position of the apparatus and holds valve 354 in the illustrated position, so that all brakes are in the inoperative position as long as the electromagnetic means 356 is energized. When switch 360 is open, spring 358 shifts the valve to the other position in which portion 364 of the valve is effective to reverse the flow of fluid in conduits 350, 352 as described above. This arrangement has the advantage that if the electric circuit fails, valve 354 assumes a position in which the brakes can still be individually and selectively actuated.

The embodiment of FIG. 13 has the advantage that standard valves can be used for valves 354 and 348, and that a single valve is suflicient for controlling all brakes simultaneously.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 7, the operator provides the force for actuating each selected brake individually, while power operated actuating means are provided for actuating all brakes simultaneously.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10, ll, 12 and 13, not only the actuating means for all brakes, but also the sepa-- rate actuating means for each brake are power operated, and the operator uses different manually controlled means for effecting individual actuation of single brakes, or simultaneous actuation of all brakes.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of braking arrangements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in apparatus for individually and simultaneously operating the brakes of a plurality of spindles in a textile machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in anyway from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a textile machine, in combination, a plurality of driven rotary spindles; a brake for each spindle; a plurality of first actuating means for said brakes, respectively, each first actuating means being individually manually operable for actuating one of said brakes, and including fluid controlled operating means; and second actuating means including conduit means connecting said fluid controlled operating means of all said brakes and being operable to supply fluid to said fluid controlled operating means for simultaneously actuating the same to brake all said spindles.

2. In a textile machine, in combination, a plurality of driven rotary spindles; a brake for each spindle; a plurality cooperating with said brakes, each piston being movable for actuating the respective brake; a manually operated means for each piston; and pressure conduit means including a plurality of cylinders for housing said pistons and having chambers, and main conduit means connecting said chambers so that upon supply of pressure fluid to said main conduit means, all said pistons are operated to actuate all said brakes simultaneously whereby all said spindles .are stopped.

3. In a textile machine, in combination, a plurality of driven rotary spindles; a brake for each spindle including a movable brake means; Operating means for each brake means, each operating means including a chamber and an operating fluid in said chamber; an actuating cylinder for each brake; an actuating piston in each cylinder operatively connected with the respective chamber for displacing the fluid in the same; a manually operated means for each piston operable for displacing each piston individually so that operating fluid is displaced in said chamber so that the respective fluid controlled operating means actuates the respective brake means and brakes one of said spindles so that said spindles can be selectively braked; and pressure conduit means connecting said actuating cylinders so that by supplying pressure fluid into said conduit means, all said pistons are simultaneously displaced in said cylinders to effect actuation of all said brakes whereby all said spindles are simultaneously actuated.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein each brake means includes resilient means holding said brake means in an inoperative position in which said chamber is contracted.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said brake means include resilient brake jaws.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said brake means include brake jaws; and wherein said fluid controlled operating means includes a closed flexible member forming said chamber and abutting said brake jaws;

and wherein said actuating pistons deform said members, respectively.

7. A machine as claimed in claim '1, including electrically operated valve means for controlling the supply of fluid through said conduit means.

8. In a textile machine, in combination, a plurality of driven rotary spindles; a brake for each spindle, each brake including resilient braking means movable between a normal inoperative position and a braking position engaging a portion of the respective spindle for braking and stopping the same, an outer casing having a cylinder portion, a closed flexible bag having a portion located between said braking means and said casing, and another portion located in said cylinder, and a pressure fluid in said closed bag; a piston member located in said cylinder portion and cooperating with the portion of the bag located in said cylinder for compressing said bag to move said braking means to a braking position; a manually controlled means mounted on each cylinder for manually moving the respective piston into operative engagement with the respective bag so that each brake can be individually and selectively actuated; and pressure conduit means connecting said cylinders so that by supplying of a pressure fluid into said conduit means, all said pistons are simultaneously displaced in said cylinders to actuate said brakes whereby all spindles are stopped simultaneously.

9. In a textile machine, in combination, a plurality of driven rotary spindles; a brake for each spindle including a brake member; a cylinder and a piston connected with said brake member for moving the same between an inoperative position and a braking position for stopping the respective spindle; a plurality of conduits connected to said cylinders; a main conduit means for a pressure fluid; and a plurality of control valves for connecting said main conduit means with said conduits, respectively, each control valve including a manually operable valve member movable between a position permitting discharge of fluid from the respective conduit, and a second position for connecting the respective conduit with said main conduit means so that the respective brake member is actuated and the respective spindle is stopped, and a spring loaded valve member operable by increased pressure in said main conduit means to move to a position connecting the respective conduit with said main conduit means so that upon a pressure increase in said main conduit means, all said spring-loaded valve members are simultaneously shifted to a position connecting said main conduit means with all said conduits whereby all said brakes are simultaneously actuated and all said spindles are simultaneously stopped.

10. In a textile machine, in combination, a plurality of driven rotary spindles; a brake for each spindle including a movable brake member for actuating said brake to move to a braking position for stopping the respective spindle; a plurality of first actuating means for actuating said brakes, respectively, each first actuating means including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder connected with the respective brake member, a conduit, and a manually controlled valve; a first main conduit and a second main conduit, said manually controlled valve having a v first position for connecting said first conduit with said cylinder and a second position for connecting said second conduit with said cylinder; main control valve means in said first and second main conduits having a first position for supplying pressure fluid to said first main conduit and a second position for supplying pressure fluid to said second main conduit; spring means for urging said main control valve to said second position; and electromagnetic means for urging, when energized said main control valve means to said first position and for holding the same in said first position so that shifting of any selected manually controlled valve to said first position While said main control valve is in said first position causes actuation of the respective brake and stopping of the respective selected 1 1 spindle, whereas in said second position of said main control valve pressure fluid is supplied by said manually controlled valves in said second position to all said cylinders whereby all said brakes are simultaneously actuated and all said spindles are simultaneously stopped. 5

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1910 Agel et al. 5761 1.2 3/1961 Makant et al. 5788 10/1961 Wright 57-88 10/1963 Mortensen 57-88 6/1964 Keyser 5788 FOREIGN PATENTS 9/1962 Germany. 7/1963 Germany.

WILLIAM S. BURDEN, Primary Examiner. 

